SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Maxima powertrain problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 16 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Maxima has a track record of catastrophic transmission failure across this complaint cluster. Owners describe complete loss of shifting function — vehicle gets stuck in first or second gear, won't engage any gear at all, or accelerates and decelerates on its own with no driver input. One owner's replacement transmission failed after just 7,000 miles; another had a 27-day dealer stay that ended with the problem undiagnosed.
A second failure pattern is severe power loss with no warning lights: vehicle won't accelerate past 20–40 mph despite high engine RPMs, especially on highway merges or in cold weather below 35°F. Owners call this "limp mode." Nissan dealers cannot reproduce these issues and say they can't help without a diagnostic code.
Timing chain failure appears alongside transmission problems — owners report engine knocking at 60,000–114,000 miles, which is premature for this design.
One complaint ties ABS/traction control failure directly to transmission malfunction: the safety system fault locked the transmission in low gear, causing unsafe sudden deceleration on the highway.
Repair costs range from $2,000 for timing chain work to $3,000+ for CVT replacement and over $8,000 when combining transmission and timing chain repairs. Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles after acknowledging problems, but denies coverage if mileage exceeds 100,000 even within the extended period. Out-of-warranty owners receive no assistance from Consumer Affairs.
Same Nissan Maxima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure — complete loss of function
Transmission fails completely, leaving vehicle unable to shift into gear or accelerate. Owners report the transmission becoming stuck, refusing to engage, or requiring full replacement.
When: Varies widely; reported at 3,300 miles (early failure), 78,000 miles, 96,500 miles, 114,000 miles, and 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Car stuck in first gear, won't shift into second; Loss of power despite high RPMs; Vehicle won't accelerate beyond 20–40 mph; Vehicle speeds up and slows down uncontrollably; Transmission jerky before complete failure; No warning lights or error codes present
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement transmission required. Costs cited: $3,000–$3,119.60 for refurbished CVT, over $8,000 for transmission plus timing chain repair. One owner reported a replacement transmission failed again after just 7,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty from 5 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles, but denies coverage if mileage exceeded even if within extended warranty period. Consumer Affairs reportedly unhelpful; dealers often unable to reproduce issue and may refuse warranty assistance.
Transmission shifting problems — stuck in gear or erratic shifting
Transmission gets stuck in low gear (usually first or second) after warm-up or during normal driving, or shifts erratically between gears without driver input. Often accompanied by loss of power and inability to maintain speed.
When: After warm-up or during city driving; reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Car stuck in first gear after warm-up; Won't shift from first to second gear; Transmission shifting between gears on its own; Jerking and slipping sensations; Loss of acceleration despite engine RPMs being high; Vehicle speed fluctuates without throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often cannot duplicate the problem. Nissan USA advised transmission control software reprogramming in one case, but problem persisted. One repair shop stated these transmissions fail repeatedly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan USA recommended software reprogramming but issue continued. Dealers unable to diagnose; in one case held vehicle 27 days without resolution.
Limp mode and power loss under specific conditions
Vehicle enters what owners describe as limp mode — severe power loss and inability to accelerate despite depressed throttle. Occurs on highway merges, hills, or in cold weather. No warning lights or diagnostic codes generated.
When: Cold weather (below 35°F), highway driving, hills; one report at 96,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power on highway on-ramp merge; Vehicle unable to accelerate past 40 mph for first few minutes; RPMs spike (2,000–4,000 range) but no acceleration follows; Loss of power on hills in cold conditions; Recurring problem dealer cannot fix; No check engine light or warning codes
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan mechanic stated no repair possible until a code sensor triggers. One owner was told to buy new tires despite issue being transmission-related.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer said problem cannot be addressed without a diagnostic code present. No other manufacturer response documented.
Timing chain failure
Timing chain and/or tensioner wears prematurely, causing knocking or rattling engine noise. While technically engine-related, owners report it alongside transmission issues and major powertrain failure at low mileage.
When: Reported at 60,000 miles and 114,000 miles; one report combined with transmission failure at 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking sound from engine when running; Squeaky noise from engine compartment; Engine rattling
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $2,000–$2,500. Combined with transmission failure, total powertrain repair exceeded $8,000. Owner noted this failure is unusual at this mileage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed; Nissan Consumer Affairs denied assistance because vehicle was out of warranty.
Transmission-ABS/traction control interaction failure
ABS or traction control system malfunction causes transmission to fail to shift out of low gear, trapping vehicle in limp mode. Creates sudden deceleration and safety hazard on highway.
When: Highway driving at recommended speed
Symptoms owners cite: ABS/traction control failure; Sudden deceleration while driving; Transmission stuck in low gear; Unsafe rapid speed loss during highway travel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports Nissan has taken no responsible action despite this being a known common problem.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When driving h the vehicle had a loss of power when there was a hill and the temperature outside was less than 35 degrees fahrenheit. This has happened multiple times and has been to a Nissan mechanic and was told they could not duplicate the problem. The rpms on the vehicle will bounce between 2000 to 4000 RPM or more but the vehicle will still not accelerate any further. This is very dangerous…
Car jerks transmission slips, it happens all the time... Except at speeds 55 or higher. Nissan would not fix the car.. I just missed the extended warranty mileage and they will not stand by the product. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 75,150 and 124,000 miles, with the median around 96,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,150; a quarter make it past 124,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Maxima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.